Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter nine of "Not Here III: Going Around." The chapter introduces Adelle, Ernie, Bulk, and Skull. It has some Andros/Ashley as well. Kai, Brittany, and An-Mei will be introduced in the next chapter or so. I have decided that Ashley will suffer a health scare with her pregnancy. How bad it will be remains to be seen. Stay tuned for chapter ten.
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Chapter 9: Comforting/Giving Speeches/Angry
Ashley stood in the hallway not far from the door. She had her hand over her eyes and was crying softly. Tears fell down her cheeks. Her body was shaking so much that it seemed it wouldn't stop. Not even the twins moving and kicking calmed her down. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked at Andros and hugged him tightly. She buried her face into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her. He listened to her muffled cries.
"I am so sorry, Ashley," Andros whispered in much sympathy.
"How could Grandma do this, Andros?" Ashley asked and choked back a sob. "She promised she wouldn't embarrass me. She promised!"
"She only cared about herself," Andros answered, shaking his head in disbelief. "I thought she was a wonderful woman. I was wrong."
"I see her as an unhinged and selfish woman," a male voice said.
Andros and Ashley turned to see Mr. Kaplan standing a short distance away from them. Mr. Kaplan approached them, his eyes full of great sympathy.
"I am so sorry, Mr. Kaplan. I didn't mean for—" Ashley started.
"Don't you dare blame yourself, Ashley," Mr. Kaplan interrupted in a stern voice. "Your grandmother chose to do what she did of her own free will. No one pointed a gun at her and told her to do it."
Ashley sniffled. "I never thought this would happen."
"She cared more about making a scene than celebrating the happiest day of your life," Mr. Kaplan responded with a shake of his head. "In all my years of holding graduations, I never thought I'd see a relative embarrass a senior in front of everyone. No one deserves that kind of humiliation, especially a young mother-to-be like you."
"You said it, Mr. Kaplan," Ashton said as he came to the principal's side along with Anna, Gerald, Raylene, Kinwon, and Tykwa.
"It wasn't just Andros and Ashley who were embarrassed. Everyone else was too. This is especially true for Zhane and Karone," Kinwon added and gritted his teeth.
"They had to watch all that. They are to be uncle and aunt to the twins," Tykwa said, huffing in much anger.
Gerald flared his nostrils. "Kayla just got into the biggest shit of her life. Excuse my language."
Mr. Kaplan nodded at him. "It's all right. Curse as much as you want. You have every right to be angry at what your sister-in-law did."
Andros and Ashley released their hold on each other. She went to her parents, hugging them tightly. They gave her hugs in return. She let out a quiet sob, more tears sliding down her cheeks.
"We are so sorry, honey," Anna whispered comfortingly.
"Let it all out. You have every right to be upset," Ashton added as they pulled apart.
"I can never trust Grandma ever again. She broke her promise. She broke it," Ashley said, letting out a soft gasp. Tykwa came to her side to offer a tissue. She took it. "Thank you, Tykwa." She wiped the tears from her eyes and blew her nose. "I don't mean to blubber like a baby."
"It's okay," Tykwa responded gently. "Let's not forget you're heavily pregnant with twins."
"It's understandable to be more upset than usual. Being embarrassed in front of a whole audience tends to make it worse," Kinwon commented and sighed heavily.
"That was the most embarrassing moment in all my life," Ashley said, shuddering badly.
"It's my and Kinwon's first graduation we have attended. We watched a madwoman make a fool of herself," Tykwa said with a fierce hiss.
"Mom was the biggest meddler in the whole family. She was always telling us to do this and that. Dad and Gerald were not as bad as she was," Raylene admitted.
"I can now see why you, Ashton, and Anna moved out here. Angel Grove gives you the peace that Boston never did," Gerald said.
"Thank you for finally realizing that, Dad," Anna replied in much relief.
Footsteps came out of nowhere. The group spotted Zhane and Karone coming their way. Andros went up to them, causing them to come to a halt. His breathing turned into shudders.
"You and Ashley all right, man?" Zhane asked in concern.
"I am fine, but Ashley is pretty upset," Andros said, glancing at his fiancée as she wiped more tears from her eyes. "Every person here is rather angry with her grandmother."
Zhane and Karone went over to Ashley, who hugged them. They gave her hugs and rubbed her back. They patted it so lightly that it seemed they weren't even doing that.
"We are so sorry, Ash," Zhane apologized as he, Karone, and Ashley pulled away from each other.
"I thought your grandmother was a selfless woman. What I saw today proved me wrong. She was willing to make a scene to be noticed," Karone growled angrily and shook her head rapidly. "She promised she wouldn't embarrass you. She broke her promise without thinking twice."
Ashley breathed deeply as Andros came to her side. "Being embarrassed by a grandparent is not something to write home about."
"No, it's not," Gerald admitted. He was about to say something when ringing sounded. "Whose cellphone is that?"
"It's mine, Gerald," Raylene called and grabbed her cellphone from her purse. She looked at it and saw the number of 617-888-9999. "It's Dad." She answered it on the second ring and put it her ear. "Hello, Dad? Oh, okay. That is…"
Andros snorted as his aunt-in-law-to-be walked a short distance away. "Thank God it is Ashley's aunt's father."
As Raylene continued talking to Ben, the others watched her carefully. She turned off her cellphone and put in back in her purse. She returned to them, smacking her lips together.
"Dad said he and Mom will stay out in the parking lot for the rest of the ceremony. He won't risking her making another scene," Raylene announced.
"Thank God," Ashton whispered in great relief. "I don't think I will ever forgive her for what she did to my daughter. How will Anna and I explain to our grandchildren that their great-grandmother embarrassed their parents at their high school graduation?"
Karone shook her head. "We can worry about that in the future, sir. Our primary concern is Ashley here."
"Are you okay, Ash?" Andros asked as he and his fiancée faced each other.
"I think I am going to need a few more minutes to calm down," Ashley admitted, sobs rising in her throat. "I just—"
Andros waved his hand toward himself. "Come here."
Andros wrapped his arms around Ashley. She buried her face into his shoulder. She continued to cry. The others watched solemnly.
00000
The auditorium was filled with quiet chatter eight minutes later. This included the seniors and former Power Rangers. Adelle straightened her posture, as did Ernie with his. Bulk and Skull pressed their lips together. They happened to be in the third set of right bottom bleachers. They were seated in the third row. Adelle tapped her brochure against her leg. Ernie placed his finger on his temple.
"I am appalled that Kayla embarrassed Andros and Ashley in front of everyone," Adelle said bitterly.
"I never thought I'd see something like that happen," Ernie mumbled and put his hand over his face.
"You know what makes it worse? Kayla promised she wouldn't do that as mentioned by the couple themselves," Skull said, anger lining his voice.
"She did it, anyway. She didn't even care," Bulk said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Skull and I thought we were bad in embarrassing ourselves and others. She took the cake."
"Her husband looked really angry while he was dragging her toward the exit," Skull commented.
"He had every right to be, Skull," Bulk responded with a heavy sigh. "I have a feeling the stunt she pulled has permanently damaged her relationship with her granddaughter."
"I wouldn't be surprised," Skull admitted and sniffled softly. "Poor Ashley. She didn't deserve what happened. It makes me wonder if she will give her speech at all."
"Me too," Bulk said and ran his hand over his hair. "It is up to her what she wants to do or not."
Justin, Ms. Applebee, and Ms. Han looked toward the left side door. They felt their heartrates speed up a little bit. They looked at each other as Mr. Wilton scratched his ear.
"Mr. Kaplan and Andros are taking a long time to comfort Ashley," Justin whispered in uncertainty. "So are her parents, aunt, grandfather, Kinwon, and Tykwa. Zhane and Karone went to see her too."
"You can't blame them, Justin. What happened was really embarrassing for her," Ms. Applebee responded.
"No kidding. I have never seen such an unhinged woman," Ms. Ham admitted and clicked her tongue.
Ms. Applebee tensed. "In all of my years of attending graduations here, I never thought I'd see a relative embarrass a senior in front of everyone."
"There is a first time for everything," Ms. Han said and cleared her throat.
"Yes," Justin agreed.
Ms. Han rubbed her chin. "I hope this doesn't take—"
The audience and seniors started to get a little louder. Mr. Kaplan, Andros, Ashley, Ashton, Anna, Raylene, Gerald, Kinwon, Tykwa, Zhane, and Karone came into the auditorium. The principal and couple approached the stairs. Ashley's parents, grandfather, aunt, and friends returned to their seats in the bleachers, as did the students with their peers. Mr. Kaplan and Andros headed up the stairs. The former stepped up to the podium. The latter stood next to it while placing his hands in front of him. Mr. Wilton took Ashley's hand and helped her up them. She went to her seat and sat down. Ms. Han, Ms. Applebee, and Justin sighed in relief. Mr. Kaplan cleared his throat into the microphone. This caused everyone to become quiet.
"I am sorry that took so long, ladies and gentleman. We needed to calm Ashley down. She was so upset over what her grandmother did. Her family and some friends came to help. She is fine now. She has decided she will give her speech," Mr. Kaplan said and breathed deeply. A boo or two rang out in which it caused him to shake his head in disbelief. "As I said before, keep your booing to yourselves. If you don't, you will be asked to leave."
The boos stopped completely. Mr. Kaplan smiled in much satisfaction. TJ, Cassie, Carlos, Zhane, Karone, Carlos, Leo, and Kendrix tried not to chuckle, but they couldn't help themselves.
"Without further ado, Andros Parker will give his speech to all of you," Mr. Kaplan said and looked at Andros. "Come on, son."
Andros shook Mr. Kaplan's hand before giving him a big hug. Mr. Kaplan gave him one in return. The audience broke out in wild applause and cheering. It stopped as the duo broke apart. Andros stepped up to the podium. He grabbed the sides. Mr. Kaplan went to his seat to sit down.
"I feel so honored to be up here. I never thought I'd be part of a high school graduation. KO-35 doesn't do proms, birthdays, or graduations. You can get a flying license when you turn fifteen," Andros said, chuckling softly. "Two years ago, I was working on my own as a Power Ranger. I didn't think being part of a team was worth it. Then Carlos, Ashley, TJ, and Cassie came into my life. I fell for Ashley the second I saw her. They taught me the value of working with a team. It took me a little while to get used to Earth's culture, but I got the hang of it."
Andros sniffled and looked down. He wiped several tears from his eyes before taking a deep breath. He gazed ahead and returned his hand to the side. He bit his lip.
"I found it to be an incredible world," Andros said, forming a big smile on his face. "There are so many beautiful landscapes and animals. I will never like the traffic, though. Attending Angel Grove High was a wonderful experience. There were more high days than low days. Like most everyone here, I was planning to go to college and get a degree. Ashley wanted to do the same thing. When she told me that I was to be a father, I felt a bit scared. Becoming a father at eighteen was not on my bingo card. KO-35 is accepting of teen marriage and parenthood, but that doesn't make it any easier."
Kinwon and Tykwa couldn't help but smile. They were amazed at how dignified Andros looked speaking at the podium. They wondered if his children would give such speeches in the future.
"However, I became determined to be the best father I can be. I refused to be one of those deadbeat dads. I got a job and started saving money," Andros said in determination. "My determination increased when we learned we were expecting twins. Teen parenthood is not the end of the world. Teen parents don't ruin their lives. They change them drastically. It is a bit harder because they have school to attend. It is not impossible to graduate with your peers. You can get there with a great support system. I have the best support system of friends and family I could have asked for. They have helped me so much. I will be forever grateful to them, especially Ashley's parents. They welcomed me into their home, so I could be close to her. Thank you all for your help."
Suddenly, almost all the audience and seniors broke into applause. They stood up, their applauding getting louder. Even Ashley, Justin, Mr. Kaplan, Ms. Han, and Ms. Applebee rose to their feet. Cheering sounded throughout the whole auditorium. Andros choked back a sob. He wiped tears from his eyes before sniffling softly.
"Thank you. Thank you so much," Andros said and looked toward Ashley as the cheering and applause died down completely. Everyone seated himself or herself with the exception of her. He gazed ahead while picking up his speech. "Now, Ashley Hammond will give her speech to all of you."
Ashley touched her stomach with both hands. She felt the babies move against them. She walked up to Andros, who gave her a big yet careful hug. She hugged him back as applause sounded. He kissed her cheek before they let go of each other. She stepped up to the podium as he approached his seat and sat down. She set her speech there.
"I am just as honored to be up here as Andros is. Three years ago, I never saw myself becoming a Power Ranger. I was a great admirer of these incredible superheroes, though. I even saw them at the park on Power Ranger Day. I was just twelve years old at the time. Carlos was there too. We laughed our heads off at Bulk and Skull making fools of themselves," Ashley said.
Carlos tried not to chuckle, but he couldn't help himself. He recalled laughing so hard at Bulk and Skull showing off their 'fighting moves' that he fell on the ground. Roger and Marie had to help him up and get him to calm down. They managed to do so after a few minutes. He laughed a little bit more, but he became quiet the rest of time.
Bulk and Skull laughed to themselves. They felt like absolute fools for dressing up like superheroes and trying to steal the Power Rangers' thunder. They had never felt so humiliated in their lives. They wished they hadn't done their little stunt. They were glad they came to admire the Rangers for their heroism and didn't hesitate to rally the civilians in aiding them in fighting Astronema's forces.
"When I became a Power Ranger, I was thrilled," Ashley said, smiling. "I was determined to be the best one I could be. I wasn't looking for a boyfriend due to my studies and Ranger duties. Then Andros came into my life. I fell hard for him the second I saw him. TJ, Cassie, Carlos, and I were shocked he was human. We had no idea humans lived on other worlds. During his first encounter with Earth culture, he didn't know what to make of it. KO-35 doesn't have oceans, so it wouldn't have animals like whales, dolphins, manatees, and sharks. However, it does have dogs, cats, horses, bears, and other animals. My friends and I helped him to get to know Earth. He grew to love it."
Andros smiled in great warmth, as did Mr. Kaplan, Ms. Applebee, Ms. Han, and Justin. He folded his hands and laid them in his lap.
"When I learned I was pregnant, Cassie was with me. I was really upset. I felt I had let everyone down. She comforted me. I was scared Andros would be angry and dump me. I would be left alone to raise our child. I was so relieved when he vowed to stick by my side. I was determined to be the best mother I could be. My determination increased when we learned we were expecting twins," Ashley commented and sniffled. "Both of us decided to put college on hold for the time being. We wanted to focus on raising our children."
Ashley felt the twins move and kick. She laid her hand on her stomach to feel them. She smiled with much warmth before returning it to the side. She took three deep breaths.
"Many guys bolt the second they learn they are to be fathers. They want nothing to do with their children. The mothers are forced to raise them alone. I'm one of the lucky mothers who have the fathers in the children's lives. Andros has been excellent in being there for me. I couldn't have asked for a better father for my children," Ashley said, looking at Andros lovingly. He nodded at her. She glanced ahead, feeling her heart skip a beat. "Teen parents, don't ever despair. You can make it through school with a great support system. My support system is the best it has ever been. I never thought I would have so many people backing me up. I thank all of you, especially Andros and my parents."
Just then, almost all the audience and seniors broke into applause. They stood up as they increased their applauding. Andros, Justin, Mr. Kaplan, Ms. Han, and Ms. Applebee followed suit. Cheering rang in the auditorium. Ashley put her hand over her mouth. She cried in a soft manner. She removed it.
"Thank you all so much," Ashley said, picking up her speech. "Now, Justin Stewart shall give his speech."
Justin smiled as the applause and cheering stopped. The audience and seniors seated themselves, except for him. He went over to Ashley and hugged her carefully. She gave him a hug in return. She approached her seat and sat down. He stepped up to the podium and placed his speech there. He proceeded to speak.
00000
Ben and Kayla sat in their car in the parking lot. He had his hands at the top of steering wheel. He looked up to see a peregrine falcon flying overhead. It screeched rather loudly. It headed for the school's roof. It landed right on the edge. It folded its wings against its back before spreading its legs apart a tiny bit. He peered at her in the corner of his eye. He emitted an angry hiss.
"Of all the stunts you have pulled, this is the worst one yet," he said in a very tense way.
"I was just trying—" she started.
"Oh, don't start that shit!" Ben yelled and glared at her.
"Watch your language!" Kayla responded while turning to him.
"Don't tell me to watch my language!" Ben said while shaking his finger at her. "You outright embarrassed our granddaughter in front of that whole auditorium!"
"Andros and Ashley should have not been giving their speeches first. Justin was supposed to go before them," Kayla insisted.
"Justin wanted them to go first," Ben pointed out truthfully. "They had every right to do so. They were giving speeches on teen parenthood."
She turned her nose upward. "That is not something seniors should be sharing. It would—"
"Talking about teen parenthood does not encourage teens to become parents, Kayla! If anything, it would encourage them to wait until they were older to become parents," Ben explained.
"Allowing Ashley to have birth control got her in this mess in the first place," Kayla said. "Ashton and Anna should have given her the sex-within-the-bounds-of-marriage talk."
"There you go blaming her parents over the choice she made to become intimate with her man," Ben said and chuckled humorlessly. "Our kids and daughter-in-law were right to move out here. You interfered far too much in their lives. Gerald and I interfered too, but we were never as bad as you were. This city allowed them to be free of our meddling."
"Meddling was the only way to make sure they did not do anything stupid," Kayla commented fiercely.
He scoffed. "Doing stupid things is what makes us human. That can't always be avoided. I am telling you right now. You have no right to blame Ashley's parents over her situation. She and Andros made the decision to be sexually intimate. They took responsibility for their children, especially him. He is working and saving up money. The stunt you pulled has likely permanently damaged your relationship with this family."
Ben looked out his window. He tightened his hands on the wheel to the point he looked about ready to tear it off. He breathed deeply in which he released the tension in his body.
"This marriage is over. I want a divorce," Ben said seriously.
"Ben, you can't—" Kayla started.
"Oh, yes, I can!" Ben snapped and glared at her. "You promised Ashley you would not embarrass her and Andros. You did it, anyway. That was the last straw. I am telling everyone what has been going on with us and Gerald over the last couple of years."
"Please, don't do this, Ben," Kayla pleaded, tears shining in her eyes. "Please."
"I must. They deserve to know," Ben insisted. "You ruined the happiest day of Ashley's life. Don't ever expect her to forgive you for it. I won't. I want her to be happy, but you don't. You never did."
"That's—" Kayla started.
"It is true, and you know it!" Ben interrupted in a fierce way. "You tried to set her up with young men during her days as a Power Ranger. She had to ask Carlos to pretend to be her boyfriend to keep you off her butt. He agreed to do so because he was one of her best friends. You stopped your crusade to get her engaged. She is engaged for real now. We weren't there to see it happen. I know she and Andros won't invite you to their wedding. Our marriage is over. That is final. I will take a little walk. Don't go anywhere."
Ben got out of the car and started walking away. He felt tears form in his eyes and fall down his cheeks. He proceeded to cry.
